GATWICK TO LIMIT FLIGHT
CAPACITY DURING JULY & AUGUST

Gatwick airport has announced plans to limit the growth in flights during July and August to help reduce delays and cancellations.

A review of the airport’s operations found that “a number of companies based at Gatwick are, and will continue to, operate with a severe lack of staff resources over the summer holiday period.” Gatwick commented if the issue wasn’t addressed passengers would continue to face queues, delays and last-minute cancellations.

As a result London Gatwick is “temporarily moderating its rate of growth for July and August by putting in place a gradually increasing capacity level at the airport, which aligns its growth trajectory with airlines and ground handler’s resource capabilities”.

The airport said the move will “allow airlines to fly and manage more predictable and reliable flight programmes for the rest of the peak school summer holiday period”, and ensure passengers “experience a more reliable and better standard of service”.

Capacity limits should help benefit ground handling companies in particular who have struggled with soaring demand amid staff shortages and lengthy employee vetting processes.

Commenting on the news, Stewart Wingate, CEO of Gatwick airport, said:

“Gatwick prepared well for the restart of international travel by successfully reopening our South Terminal and we have now successfully recruited 400 new colleagues to help us process passengers quickly through security this summer.

“We are also working closely with our airlines to avoid disruption to passengers this summer, and while more newly recruited staff will start work in coming weeks, we know it will be a busy summer.”

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